Miami Here We Come!

Emilie and I flew down to visit the Miami Frye's during her March break from URI.  We flew in on Tuesday and returned home late Saturday.  A short visit but we had a great time!  It was long overdue to get down there and the getaway I really needed.

We drove over to Marco Island and hit the beach; what a great spot, which just so happens to hold some wonderful memories too of prior visits  Of course we stopped along the way to take in some BIG alligators!  We also stopped to rescue a large soft-shelled turtle that was attempting to cross the highway. The save was a success, however, the odor from carrying the dude was just awful!

The beach was busy when we first arrived but empty by the time we left.  It was so peaceful and relaxing; not a worry in the world at that time.  Just wish I had a beach chair to sit in. Well, one that had a bottom to it...

Seashells were collected too.  These below were alive, so released but what awesome colors.  A bag of shells made it's way back to Massachusetts -

The following day we visited the Everglades Holiday Park, home to the Animal Planet made famous "Gator Boys" -

We spent over an hour in an airboat out in the everglades.  Captain Rocky was our tour guide and although we did see any alligators up close, it was informative and fun just the same.  The girls enjoyed it too -

Our trip went by too fast but it was terrific to spend time with my brother and niece.  I wish we didn't live so far apart but cherish the times we get to spend together. Seems like only yesterday the girls were babies, they're beautiful young women now and I couldn't be prouder of them both.

It Really Is Tough

Up Up And Away!

The neighbor had some tree work done this past Friday.  The crew was here for the whole day and they took down quite a few trees; some BIG ones too.  Looks like it opened things up nicely for them and removed any immediate threat of them falling onto their house.

It's was amazing watching the crew work, especially the crane operator and the dude who was being placed HIGH into the tops of the trees being cut.  

Watch this short vid on how they effortlessly move a large tree from behind the house to the where it was being put into the chipper.

Some Privacy Please...

Doing errands yesterday afternoon Emilie and I came upon this beautiful fox.  We spotted her and were able to pull in next to her and grab these pics.  She was almost oblivious of us at first, as she stopped to do her business.  Only when we started whistling did she notice us and get a bit hurried.  Once she was done, she quickly scooted in the other direction.

Of course we immediately jumped on Facebook to warn everyone in Franklin that we saw a fox out in the daytime and that those folks with small dogs and cats should be careful...HAHAHA, no we did NOT do that!  NO PSA needed if you have a smidgen of a clue about wildlife.

I Feel Blessed

The sunsets off my back deck never disappoints and is always so impressive and beautiful -

Out Like A Light!

Emilie is home and Trixie is in her glory.  She is SO happy to have her home.

Here she is out like a light lying next to Emilie on the couch, ssshhhhhh!

Uncle Ben and Pulled Pork Loin

I whipped up this honey glazed pork loin last month, using the slow cooker, and it came out super delicious!  I got three meals out of it, plus I was able to freeze two more meals.  Once I had the needed ingredients and threw everything in the pot, it was hands off until time to eat.  It smelled great and was so so good!

I enjoyed the pork over rice with Uncle Ben - 

Swing And A Miss...

I gave this brandy a try the other evening, which has been in the basement closet for some 15-20 years now, not a big fan.

His Majesty, Sir Oliver

The king on one of his many thrones (resting spots).

You can even see his attitude in his face.  Seems I was disturbing him; the nerve of me taking a picture of him while he was resting, gheese...

Items Of A Time Gone By

Came across some items of my youth; my toddler days perhaps.

Sadly, I cannot tell you much about these items, for example who knitted the outfit or if the spoon was one I used or more of a keepsake. 

No idea what to do with these things, other than reminisce of days gone by.

HBD Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Missing you every day.

So True...

Fishin' On A River

 

Jake Owen - Fishin' On A River

😢

I had already stopped by the bait shop

Filled up the cooler and the tank and the tackle box

Weatherman calling for cloudy and eighty-two

Sun down it’s a full moon

I had my old red danger all shined up

My good rods and a better day lined up

I was ready to go

And it turned out she was too

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Had already made up her goodbye mind

Took her things left me nothing but the tail lights

They say the neon and the jukebox helps the leaving

And that’s the reason that I’m

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

I outta be tired of throwing them back by now

But there I am letting her go

Throwing them back right now

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

(wishing I was with her)

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

The Black and Gold

Emilie and I took in a Boston Bruins & Pittsburg Penguin hockey game at the TD Garden in Boston last night!

We were up in the nose bleed section, all the way up, in the last row with our backs against the wall.  They were actually pretty good seats, with a good view of the whole rink and arena, see pic.

The B's jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period but came out flat in the second and went into the third period down 2-3.  They ended up losing the game 2-4.

Didn't matter, we had a great time none-the-less.

In the past year we've been to a Boston Red Sox game, a New England Patriots game and a Boston Bruins game.  Up next is a Boston Celtics game.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter!  

You are an amazing person with such a kind loving soul.

I see BIG things for you and I am SO SO proud of you and who you're becoming.

Seems like only yesterday you arrived and changed my world.  I can't believe that was 20 years ago.  It's gone by much too fast but I've been blessed with some incredible memories that I hold dearly.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I love 💖 you more than I can ever express.

Giddy Up - Happy Birthday!

A great BIG Happy Birthday to this inspiring young woman!

I don't know where the 20-years have gone but they certainly went by in the blink of an eye.

I love this picture! It embodies your love for animals, especially horses, and the amazing connection you have with them.

Happy Birthday!

I hope you enjoy your special day.

All my love 💗

Just In Case

The company I work for sent every employee rapid covid tests to their homes.

I received my (6) kits the other afternoon.

These rapid tests have been difficult to find in our local pharmacies.  They just don't last long and sell out very quickly.  So, it's nice to have some spares handy just in case needed, if for nothing else peace of mind.

To my company - Thank you!

My First Calzone!

I thought I'd try something different for dinner last weekend.  I had some pizza dough in the freezer, so thought a calzone was in order.

I added Boar's Head honey maple ham from the deli and a 4-blend shredded cheese to my shopping list and off to the market I went.  

I added some home grown (previously frozen) green peppers, some onions, tomato sauce and pepperoni and made myself a delicious calzone!  I was able to stretch it and got two lunches out of the leftovers.

I Am Me

Scads of Beanie Babies!

Finally found the motivation to go through and sort all the Ty Beanie Babies we have, OMG!

I sorted them all, pairing up the duplicates and triplicates, etc..  I then put all the singles into one pile, keeping the ones with tags or the better condition tags and bagged up all the dups, which totaled over 110!

I did the ole Google search for "most valuable Beanie Babies" and then sadly confirmed, like all my lottery tickets, that I have NONE of the desired and rare ones, alas.

I sold the bag of 110, which went fast but not sure what to do with the rest.  Either way I made progress and whittled down the number of plastic bins taking up space to house these fad items of a time gone by...

Hello Up There...

I was being watched on my walk the other day!  This hawk wasn't bothered by me in the slightest and except for an occasional glance, this dude had other things on his mind.

Seems like there are more and more hawks around these last couple of years.  Hoping, like the Bald Eagle, which have also been spotted here in our town of Franklin, they're making a come back. We sure could use the help controlling the scads of chipmunks, grey squirrels and rabbits, that seem to also be thirving...  

The Gavel, Yum!

Emilie and I went to The Gavel Public House restaurant, located in Wrentham, one last time before she headed back to college.  It has become our favorite place to go when we have the munchies! All the food I've had so far has been delicious, especially the nachos, which are Emilie's favorite!

I Cannot...

 

A Reminder of Times Gone By

As I mentioned in previous posts, I've been going through some of my old stuff, as well as my folks old stuff in an effort to make sense of what's what and to make some headway in cleaning and clearing things up.

I enjoy the process, which always brings back such fond and wonderful memories.  I cherish each and every one of the memories as they come back to me with smiles and tears.

Here are some of the signatures on cards and letters from loved ones no longer with us - 

Homemade Hamburger Helper

I made, what we call, hamburger helper the other night.  It's nothing fancy and not complicated but it's delicious and hits the spot.  Brings back some nice memories of not too long ago.

I used ground chicken versus the beef we'd use in the past.  I also used a quart of my home grown tomatoes that were canned last year.  The fresh canned tomatoes is the key and really what makes this dish so appealing and SO darn good!  I got three meals out of it and enjoyed each and every one, down to the last drop on each plate, literally!

I'm actually enjoying planning my meals, figuring out what I need at the market and spending the time in the kitchen preparing.  I'm far from perfect but getting better with each meal.

Deer It's Cold Outside

I spotted four deer in the backyard a couple afternoons ago. First time in quite a while I've: a-seen the deer period, especially during the day and b-more than one!  I've seen one here and there at night, when I let Trixie out to do her business and I've seen their tracks in the few snow falls we've had but only one or two.  Seeing the four was nice, especially with how cold and frigged the temps and wind chills have been.  Looked like two adult does and their young'ns.

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe

As a general rule of mine, I don't typically post pictures of myself or of family or of friends.

Today, I am making an exception and it's with a heavy heart that I do.

This is a late 70's, early 80's throwback picture of me and my Uncle Joe in Tennessee.  I have SO many great memories of my uncle, of time spent just he and I, as well as time spent with our families.  Whether out fishing, gigging frogs, driving back roads off the beaten path, finding good eats or just tagging along when he had errands or side jobs, I was always my happiest.  I wish I could go back in time and relive some of these adventures.

Sadly, Uncle Joe passed August 4, 2021, a very sad day.  My uncle remains and lives in my thoughts and memories and they always bring a smile to my face and pull me out of my funk.

It's his birthday today and I want to wish him a BIG happy birthday!

I miss you Uncle Joe...